Mining machine



July 1, i930.

M. P. HOLMES A MINING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1914 10 Sheets-Shea?l l M. P. HOLMES July l, 1930.

MINING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1914 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 m5 NQ ,..xllllllllllll wai/'n e 53e M. P. HoLME MINING MACHINE Juy l, 1930.

Filed April 22, 1914` l0 Sheets-Shea?l 3 wineees.' p? g y M/Z-M, J/4,7 mzm. m7

`l'uly l, 1936.

M. F. HOLMES 1,769,878

MINING MACHINE I Filed April 22,y 1914 10 Sheets-Sheet 4 M. P.. HOLMES hilly 1,1930.

MINING MACHINE 10 sheets-sheet 5 Filed April 22, 1914 lnveno.'

10 Sheets-Sheet 6 July 1, 1930. M. P. HOLMES MINING MACHINE Filed 'April 22, 1914 M. P. HOLMES July 1,1 1930.

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July L 1930 M. P. HOLMES 1,769,878

MINING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1914 10 sheets-sheet 8 M. P. HOLMES July 1,1930.

MINING MACHINE Filed April 22,

1914 10 sheets-sheet 9 Juiy 1, 1930. M. p. HOLMS MINING MACHINE Filed April 22, 1914 10 Sheets-Sheet l0 QNN Patented duly l, 193@ MORRIS P. HOLMES, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, OF CLAREMONT, NEW HAMPSHIREJ A CORPORATION F MASSACHUSETTS MINING MACHINE Application led April 22,

This invention relates to mining machines and more particularly, though not exclusively, to coal mining machines employing movable cutting devices adapted to be presented to the face of a mine to cut a. kerf or channel therein. The purpose of the invention is to provide an improved mining apparatus. A

further purpose of my invention is to provide a compact and efficient form of machine 1o so arranged that a great variety of conditions may be met, and the cutter bar or support for the cutting appliances may be held in a variety of relations to the work, all with the loss of little or no time in adjusting or alterl5 ing the relation of the machine as a whole to the work, thereby greatly increasing the speed and effectiveness of the cutting. A

further purpose is to provide an improved,

self-contained, power-operated mining machine operable, wit-hout the use 0f extraneously attached flexible connections, to insert in aface in advance of the machine cuts which include a transverse swinging cut and one or more rectilinear cuts-as: a sumping cut, a withdrawing cut, or both. Other objects and advantages will hereinafter more fully appear.

The invention will be best understood by reference to the following description, when taken in connection with the accompanying illustration of one specific embodiment thereof, while its scope will be more particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a mining machine embodying one form of the invention;

Fig. 2 is a central, longitudinal section in elevation of the central portion of the machine, including the turret or cutter bar support.

Fig. 8 is a section similar to that in Fig. 2, but showing the forward portion of the machine, this section constituting in effect an extension of the section shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a transverse, sectional elevation in end view, taken on the broken line 4 4 in Fig. 9;

Fig. 5 is a central, longitudinal section in elevation taken through the rear portion of the machine and constituting in effect an eX- 1914. Serial No. 833,782.

tension of the section shown in Fig. 2, but showing also the motor and motor shaft in central longitudinal elevation;

Fig. 6 is a detail in transverse sectional elevation taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a sectional elevation taken on the line 7--7 in Fig. 10, showing the mechanism for feeding the machine longitudinally on its bed;

Fig. 8 is a plan view in partial sec-tion of the central portion of the machine shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the forward portion of the machine shown in Fig. 3;

Fig. 10 is a plan view of the rear portion of the machine, or that shown in Fig. 5;

Fig. 11 is a transverse, sectional elevation on an enlarged scale, showing the devices for vertically adjusting the cutter bar;

Fig. 11a is a sectional elevation, taken on the line 11a- 11a in Fig. 11;

Fig. 12 is a transverse, sectional elevation taken through the center of the turret on the line 12-12 in Fig. 2;

Fig. 12'a is a transverse 4sectional elevation, taken through the cutter bar and its carrier, on the line 12:1--12a in Fig. 8;

Fig. 13 is a section in plan on a somewhat enlarged scale showing the transmission gearing located between the motor and the turret;

Fig. 14 is an enlarged detail in partial section showing the driving worm and clutches at one end of the transmission shaft;

Fig. 15 shows in enlarged, longitudinal section a detail of the clutch operating devices;

Fig. 16 is a plan view diagrammatic in form showing one method of using the machine shown in Fig. 1; and

Fig. 17 is a similar view in plan showing another method of utilizing the machine.

Referring to the drawings, and to the embodiment of my invention which is therein shown for illustrative purposes, the same comprises a mining machine mounted upon a main portable support, herein in the form of a bed carried by forward and rear sets of truck wheels 1-1 and 2--2, respectively. The latter are adapted tc track upon rails of a suitable trackway indicated at 3-3 (Figs.

16 and 17), which latter is laid adjacent the coal face or rib to be cut either parallel with the same or at right angles thereto, or in any other desired relation, as conditions may require.

The main support or bed for the machine is herein composed of longitudinal supporting bars 4 and 5 (Fig. 4), the latter' extend ing the full length of the machine and in the form of double channelsl fastened together and providing each a beam of I cross section, presenting a flat top, to Which is secured (Figs. 4, 6 and 12) as by rivets, the flat guide plates 6 and 7, on which the machine frame rests and along which it is adapted to have a sliding movement, as is later described.

At their forward ends, the supporting beams 4 and 5 rest upon a suitable truck frame 8 journaled on the axles 9 and 10. To permit the forward portion of the bed to swivel on the truck frame S, the beams 4 and 5 are supported directly on a turntable or plate 11 (Figs. 3, 4 and 9) secured, as by the bolts 12, to the hub piece 13 adapted to turn about a vertical axis in the bearing box 14, the latter carried by the truck frame S. The hub piece 13 is held fixed in its bearing by the cap plate 15 secured thereto by the bolts 12. At its rear end, the machine bed is also supported for suf'iveling movement upon a truck frame 1G, the latter carried by the axles 17 and 18. The rear truck frame 16 also serves as al housing and carrier for truck propelling gearing (Fig. Which is hereinafter more fully described.

The machine frame carrying the principal Working parts and which is adapted to have a longitudinal sliding movement along the bed is composed of the motor casing 19 at the rear thereof, the turret supporting plate 2O near the forivard end and an intermediate casing 21 carrying the principal transmission gear parts. These three members are bolted rigidly together to form a continuous machine frame and are provided on their under faces each with guideways ivhich fit the guide plates G and 7 (Figs. 6 and 12). At each side. the frame is also provided with the continuous gib plates 22 and 23, (Fig. 12) which underlie the outside edge of the adjacent guide plates G or '7, so that the entire machine frame is accurately guided as a unit to travel longitudinally of the bed.

In the present type of machine, the machine frame is adapted to be traversed und er power back or forth on the bed While the cutting appliances are being operated. rlfhe cutter bar with its turret may also be turned under power in either direction. and the cutter bar may be caused to project laterally from either side of the machine frame, While the latter is being longitudinally7 moved. lt is also possible to e'll'ect these movements of the cutting appliances With the latter adjusted to different heights and this vertical adjustment of the cutting appliances may be effected With but little loss of time. By the location of the cutter bar above the frame it is possible effectively to utilize the cutting appliances While swinging the latter across the end of the machine.

Referring first to the cutting appliances and the support therefor, 1 have herein illustrated my invention as applied to a machine of the chain cutter type. rl`his is provided with a cutter bar 30 of common and usual construction carrying the cutter chain 31 provided ivith the cutter-like bits 32, the chain passing about the guiding sprocket Wheel journaled in the forward end of the cutter bar and also about the driving sprocket Wheel 34, the latter mounted on the sprocket Wheel driving shaft 35 (Fig. 2). Since the cutter bar is capable of vertical adjustment, the sprocket Wheel 34 is splined on the drive shaft 85, the latter being journaled in loiver bearings 36 carried by the turret plate 20 and upper bearings 37 carried in the cap plate 38 of the turret 39. The turret 39 (with the cutter bar, as Will be later described) rests upon and is revoluble in the turret plate 2O (see Figs. 2, 8 and 12). For this purpose, the bottom of the turret is provided With a flange 40 (see Fig. 12) to Which is bolted the upper' face 41 ofthe annular bearing ring 42, the latter resting and turning directly7 upon the upper face of the turret plate 20. An annular flanged centering and guide plate 43 bolted to the turret plate 2O overlies the bottom flange of the bearing plate 42 and holds the same in position. Friction is prevented laterally by the rollers 44 carried by the bearing plate 42 and engaging the periphery of the flanged plate 43 (see Fig. 2).

To turn the turret Within its bearing seat thus provided by the turret plate 20, the eX- ternal face of the bearing plate 42 is provided with gear teeth 45 which mesh with a. driving pinion (Figs. 7 and 10), the latter adapted to be driven through suitably controlled poiver transmission devices. hereinafter described, so that the turret. carrying With it the cutter bar, may be rotated at will through any required angle or to anv desired position.

Herein the vertical adjustment of the cutting appliances is provided with relation to the turret itself and the other large and heavy parts of the machine, so that When vertical adjustment is required, the relatively light cutter bar only need be raised or lowered, the vertical position of the turret, motor and other heavy parts of the machine being left unchanged. To provide for the vertical adjustment of the cutter bar with relation to the turret While at the same time holding the former in fixed relation to the latter to partake of its turning movement as required, an intermediate frame or carriage is herein provided in which. the rear end of the cutter bar is rigidly seated, means being provided for the vertical adjustment at will of the carriage in suitable guideways in the turret.

Referring to Figs. 2, 8, 9 and 12a, the cutter bar 30 is of ordinary or usual construction, being provided with side gib plates 50 and end gib plates 5i, which form guideways for the cutter blocks 52. At its rear or inner end, the cutter bar has the two bifurcated members 5o (Figs. 12a and 8), which seat between the upper and lower plates 54 and 55, respectively, of the vertically adjustable cutter bar carrier, the bifurcated ends of the cutter bar being securely clamped and positioned as shown in Figs. 2 and l2a by means of the clamping bolts 56. To tighten the chain, the cutter bar is longitudinally adjustable in the forward end of the carrier (Figs. 2 and 8), there being provided for this purpose an eye 57 fixed on the carrier on which is swivelled a linlr 5S, the forward end of which is formed into the threaded sleeve 59, the latter engaging with the adjusting screw 60 longitudinally xed with relation to a part 6l carried by the cut-- ter bar. The screw 60 is provided with a head 62 accessible through an opening in the cutter bar, so that when the clamping bolts 56 are loosened, the screw may be turned and the cutter bar adjusted with reference to its carrier and driving sprocket wheel.

The driving sprocket wheel 84 is mounted upon a sleeve 63 journaled in upper and lower bearings 64 and 65, the latter being provided in the upper and lower carrier plates 54 and 55, respectively (see Figs. 2 and l2).

To turn tie carrier with the turret while permitting its vertical adjustment with relation thereto, the cutter bar carrier plates are provided (Fig. 8) at each side with laterally projecting, vertically disposed guiding ribs 66, similar in construction. These en` gage with corresponding guideways formed in the turret by the finished faces of the flanges 67 and the overlying gib plates 68 bolted thereto. At its rear. the carrier is similarly guided by means of the rib plates 69 formed upon the rear of the carrier plates, these being guided between the opposing faces of a finished guideway formed in the adjacent walls 70 and 7l of the turret housing. The latter is shown as formed in two parts separable a ong a .longitudinal center of vertical adjustment rotatably immovable with relation to the turret. The front of the turret is open between the gib plates 68 to permit the vertical movement of the cutter bar carrier therein.

Any suitable means, either motor driven or hand operated may be employed for raising or lowering the cutter bar carrier. Herein the weight of the vertically adjustable parts is so slight that a hand adjustment may be effectively employed. To this end, a transversely arranged hand-rotated shaft 8O is journaled in bearing boxes 8l (Figs. 2, 8 and il) carried by the upper carrier plate 54 for the cutter bar. rlhis shaft has fixed thereon a pair of worms S2, 82, one located directly at each side of the carrier plate and meshing each with an underlying worm gear S3. The worm gears are secured each to a longitudinal shaft S4 which is carried in bearings at the side of the carrier plate. The two shafts 84, 84 have fixed at each end thereof a pinion 86, each of the four pinions meshingY with the teeth of the vertically arranged and fixed racks 87-87, the racks being bolted to an appropriately shaped adjacent wall of the turret (Figs. 2 and 8).

The pinions 86, shafts 84, worm gears and worms being rotatably mounted upon and carried by the cutter bar carrier, the latter may be raised or lowered in the turret within its limits of adjustment by merely turning the shaft SO.

To turn the shaft 80 (Figs. 8, l1 and lla), the latter has a reduced end 8S projecting through the turret, the latter having an elongated vertical slot 89 therein (Figs. l and lla) to permit the vertical movement of the shaft end 88. On the reduced end 88 of the shaft 80 a sliding sleeve 90 is mounted having an outwardly projecting end with slabbed off sides which fitthe slot 89 in the turret. The sleeve is splined to the shaft end 88, and is normally pressed out into interlocking en`l gageinent with the slotted walls of the turret by the spring 91, the latter interposed between the sleeve and a collar 92 fixed on the shaft 80. In this position of the sleeve, the shaft is locked against turning, thereby adding to the locking effect of the worm gear 83 and worm 82, also the locking effect of the sleeve in opposition to any tendency of the cutter bar carrier to displace vertically. lWhen it is desired to turn the shaft, a crank handle 93 (Fig. 8) having the hub 94 is applied to the end of the shaft. rThe hub is also splined to fit the key on the reduced end of the shaft. By pressing the handle inwardly, the sleeve is forced in to release the shaft, whereupon the handle may be turned to turn the shaft 80, thereby raising or lowering the cutter bar.

To turn the driving sprocket wheel 34 in all vertical positions of the cutter bar and in all angular positions of the turret, driving movement 1s transmitted to the sprocket 3st through the splined driving shaft by means of the beveled driven gear 100 fixed to the lower end of the said shaft and meshing with the beveled driving pinion 101, the latter keyed to the forward end of the lifingitudinal cutter-chain driving shaft 102 (Figs. 2 and 5) lThe latter shaft is carried in the machine frame so as to travel forward and back with the saine upon the bed, being jouiiialed at its forward end in bearings 103 carried by the turret plate 20 and at its rear end in bearings 101A which are supported by the transmission gear casing 21.

To turn the sha ft 102 and supply power for the other movements of the machine, a driving motor 105 is utilized mounted upon the motor frame casing 19. The motor may be of any suitable type, but herein the same is an electric motor of the reversible type usual in mining machines having the armature shaft 106 carried in bearings supported by the casing 19, there being secuied to thc armature shaft near its forward end the driving pinion 10T meshing with the large driving gear 108, the latter arrange-d concentric with the axis of the cutter chain driving shaft 102. The gear 108 is s plinedl to the sliding clutch sleeve 109 freely rotatable on the shaft 102, the sleeve having clutch teeth on one side adapted to engage with similar clutch teeth on the member 110 fixed to the shaft 102. At its opposite end, it has similar clutch teeth adapted to be engaged with and drive a sleeved member 111 mounted for free rotation upon the end of the shaft 102 and carrying at its end the beveled driving gear 112. A clutch lever 109a may be utilized to move the clutch sleeve 109 longitudinally. In one position, it engages with the chain driving member 110 and causes motor driven movement of the shaft 102. 1f moved in the opposite direction, it engages the truck driving member 111 and drives the gear 112 while turning loosely about the shaft 102. Or, it may be left in an intermediate position, as shown, when both the shaft 102 and the gear 112 are disconnected from the driving motor.

The gear 112 is employed to propel 1the truck and for that purpose engages with a beveled gear 120, the latter mounted to turn with the shaft 121 in bearings carried by the truck frame 16. A beveled pinion 122 is prog vided to turn with the gear 120 and meshes with the beveled drive gear 123. the latter upon a horizontal shaft 121- whieh carries a beveled pinion 125 meshing with the beveled gear 126 secured to the rear axle 18. Sprocket drivingl chains 12T 1 and 10) impart driving movement from the rear axle 18 to the forward axle 17 of the rear truck. lVhen the clutch sleeve 109 is moved to its rearward position, the motor is utilized to propel the truck through the mechanism described.

The Channel irons t and 5 are supported upon the plate 12S which has a swiveled support upon the casing 129, the latter fixed upon the truck frame so that the bed is capable of turning upon the rear truck, the location of the beveled gears 112 and 120 with relation to the turning axis being such that this turning movement is permitted without interrupting the driving connection.

lt will be observed that when the machine frame feeds forwardly upon the bed, the motor, transmission gearing and cutter chain driving shaft 102 all travel with the same, the beveled gear 112 carried by the shaft 102 withdrawing from engagement with the beveled gear 120 on the truck and leavingthe latter. 'together with the remainder of the propelling gearing, on the truck in fixed posi. tion. On the return movement of the machine frame, or when it becomes necessary to propel the truck, the machine frame is moved back to bring the gears 112 and 120 into mesh.

To feed the machine frame forward and back on the bed. the latter is provided with a stationary rack 130, fixed to the inside of the beam 5 (Figs. 2, 5, 7 and 10). Meshing with the teeth of this rack .is a pinion 131, the latter fixed to and driven by the lower end of the short upright shaft 132, ournaled in bearings carried by the gear casing 21 (Fig. 7). Mounted to turn loosely on the shaft 132, is the small pinion 133, meshing with the gear 16, which turns thc turret. The top face of the pinion 133 is provided with clutch teeth 134, adapted to co-act with the clutch teeth 135 on the lower face of the sliding clutch ineinbei 136. The upper face of the clutch member is provided with clutch teeth 137, co-acting with clutch teeth 138 on the lower face of the collar 139, the latter fixed on the shaft 132. The clutch member 136 is non-rotatably fixed but longitudinally slidable in the hub of a worm driving gear 140, so that, with the clutch sleeve fitted into toothed engagement with the collar 139, the gear 1110 serves to turn the pinion 131 and feed the machine on its bed in one direction or the other. lVlien forced into toothed engagement with the pinion 133, however, it serves to drive the gear 46 and turn the turret in one direction or the other, as the case may be.

To turn the gear 140, the latter is caused to mesh with the driving' worm 1111 (Figs. 13, 14 and 15) carried by the worm-sleeve 142, the latter mounted to turn loosely about the main transmission shaft 14:3, which is transversely arranged in the gear casing 21. By means of the connected, but rcversely movable, clutch sleeves 14141 and 1115, the worin sleeve may be clutched to be driven directly from the transmission shaft 113, or may he connected to be driven at a slower speed through planetary speed reduction gearing at the end of the shaft.

The speed reduction gearing comprises a driving pinion 146 secured to the end of the shaft, meshing with intermediate planetary pinions 147 j ournaled on the planetary member 148, the latter freely rotatable about the shaft 143. The pinions 147 mesh with the 'teeth 149 of an internal gear fixed to the casing 21. rl`he planetary member 148 has a sleeve 150 keyed thereto, and on the sleeve is splined the clutch member 144, having clutch teeth 151 adapted to interlock with clutch teeth 152 on the opposing face of t-he worm sleeve 142.

The clutch sleeve 144 (Fig. 14) has a circumferential groove 153, engaged by the forked arm 154 carried by the sliding rod 155. At its opposite end, the latter carries a similar forked arm 156 engaging a circumferential groove 157 on the clutch sleeve 145. The latter is splined to the shaft 143, and has clutch teeth 158 adapted to interlock with clutch teeth 159 on the adjacent face of the worm sleeve 142. By moving the slide rod, the clutch sleeves may be simultaneously and reversely moved, so that the worm sleeve may be clutched directly to the transmission shaft 143 by the clutch sleeve 145, or be driven at a reduced speed through the clutch sleeve 144 and planetary driving member 148, or be disengaged entirely from the transmission shaft by leaving the clutch sleeves at an intermediate position.

To move the slide rod, the latter has rack teeth 160 formed in its side meshing with the teeth of a pinion 161 (Figs. 14 and 15), the latter secured to the bottom of a small upright shaft 162, provided with a crank arm 163 exterior to the casing. A handle 164 of the crank arm is provided with a springpressed positioning pin 165 adapted to enter any one of three holes in the casing, so as to position the crank arm for the high speed, the low speed, or the disengaged position of the clutch sleeves.

The reduced speed through the planetary gearing is intended to be used when the cutter bar, with its cutters in motion, is fed against the work by means of the rotary movement of the turret. The higher speed obtained through the direct connection to the transmission shaft is intended to be used when the cutter bar, with the cutters in motion, is fed toward the work by means of the bodily or longitudinal movement of the machine frame along the bed. As an assistance to the operator, I have herein provided means whereby on the one hand the clutch sleeves may be thrown to give the reduced speed to the worm sleeve simultaneously with the downward movement of the clutch sleeve 136 on the shaft 132 which downward movement serves to clutch in the turning gear 46, and whereby on the other hand the said clutch sleeves may be oppositely thrown to give the higher speed simultaneously with the upward movement of the clutch sleeve 136 which clutches in the longitudinal feed gear 131.

For this purpose (see Figs. 7 and 15) the upright shaft 162 carries above the pinion 161 a screw or threaded portion 166. This engages a nut 167, the latter fixed in al sleeve 168 provided with laterally projecting pins 169, the latter working in a sleeve 170 formed in the clutch operating lever 171 (Figs. 7, 10 and 15). The latter is pivoted at 172, and has the forked or bifurcated end 173, which engages a groove 174 in the clutch sleeve 136. The connections are such that in one position of the lever arm 163, all the clutch sleeves 144, 145 and 136 are disengaged. 1n another position, the clutch sleeve 145 is connected to the worm sleeve 142, turning the worm 140 at its higher rate of speed, and the clutch sleeve 136 is elevated through the clutch lever 171, transmitting this high speed driving movement to the longitudinal feed pinion 131. 1n the other position of the lever arm, the clutch sleeve 144 is connected to the worm sleeve to turn the worm 14() at the slower rate of speed, and this movement is transmitted to the turret-turning pinion 46 by the depression of the clutch sleeve 136 through the lever 171.

The transmission shaft 143 is driven from the motor shaft 106 through a beveled driving pinion carried at its end, and preferably through speed change devices whereby, for movements of adjustment, a higher speed can be attained both for the longitudinal movement of the machine frame and for the turning movement of the turret, than is had when such parts are moved with the cutters at work, thereby saving time in bringing the cutter bar back from or up to cutting position. To this end, the beveled pinion 180 is caused to mesh with the two beveled gears 181 and 182 (Fig. 13), the latter being thereby driven in opposite directions upon the hub 183 of the clutch device 184. The latter is provided with friction faces 185 and 186, adapted to engage with opposed friction faces carried by the respective gears 181 and 182, the clutch sleeve 183 being longitudinally slidable, whereby it may be clutched through the described clutch faces with either the gear 181 or 182, or maintained at an intermediate position, disconnected from both.

To throw the clutch 184, the latter has the circumferential groove 187 engaged by the forked lever arm 188, the latter connected to the upright clutch shaft 189 having the eX- ternal clutch operating lever 190 (Fig. 10) located outside the casing. rfhe clutch sleeve 183, which is thus rotatable at will in either direction, is keyed to the inner sleeve 191, the latter carrying a pinion 192, meshing with a gear 193 carried by a sleeve 194 rotatable on a countershaft 195. Secured to turn with the sleeve 194 is the smaller pinion 196, meshing with the large gear 197, the latter freely rotatable about the transmission shaft 143.

The inner face of the gear 197 is provided with clutch teeth 19S adapted to mesh with Clutch teeth 199 on the sleeve 200, and the opposite face of the latter is provided with similar clutch teeth adapted to engage with clutch teeth 201 on the end of the elongated sleeve 191. The clutch sleeve 200, therefore, may be moved in one direction to clutch the driving sleeve 191 directly to the transmission shaft 143, and turn the same at the higher rate of speed, or may be moved to clutch the shaft directly to the gear 197 and cause the former to be driven at the reduced speed through the speed reduction gears 192, 193, 196 and 197. To move the clutch sleeve 200 in either direction, or hold the same in an unclutched, intermediate position, a circumferential groove in the sleeve is engaged by the forked arm 202, carried by the clutch shaft 203, the latter having the external clutch operating lever 204 (Fig. 10).

Itwill be seen that through the three clutch levers 163, 190 and 204, the required longitudinal or turning feed in either direction, and at either a high or low rate of speed may be readily had. The clutch lever 163 will give either a high speed longitudinal feeding movement of the machine frame, or a relatively low speed turning movement of the turret.' The clutch lever 204 may be turned to provide these movements at an accelerated speed when they are performed with the cutters doing no work. To provide different cutting speeds, gears of different sizes may be substituted for the gears 196 and 197. The reversing lever 190 is used to reverse the direction of feed either of the turret or the frame.

To hold the cutter bar and turret fixed in any desired position of adjustment when the turret turning feed is not employed, a small segmental toothed plate 210 (Fig. 8) is einployed, which is adapted to mesh and interlock with teeth of the turning gear 45. The segmental lock is held fixed in the turret ring casing, except for a limited longitudinal sliding movement, so that the same may be withdrawn from mesh with the gear, allowing the latter to rotate, or may be forced into mesh therewith to prevent rotation ofthe gear and the turret. For this purpose, the segment is carried upon the end of a short shaft 211, the latter guided for sliding movement in a bracket 212 carried by the turret plate. Interposed between the bracket 212 and a collar 213 carried by the shaft is a coiled spring 214 tending normally to press the segment into interlocking mesh with the gear. The projecting end of the shaft 214 is threaded, and has engagement with the internally threaded hub of the crank arm 215. By turning the latter right-handedly, the locking segment is withdrawn and held withdrawn from engagement with the gear. A reverse movement of the crank handle, however, permits the spring to force the toothed plate inwardly and securely locks the gear against turning.

The described form of machine may be used for a great variety of purposes. The specific embodiment herein shown has particular application to the cutting of kerfs at variable heights between the floor and thc roof of the mine. This is often required where a dirt seam extends across the face or rib of the coal near the roof, or intermediate the roof and the floor, and it becomes necessary to cut out or to remove this seam before the coal is broken down, or where for any other rea-son a kerf is required between the f'ioor and the roof.

Two conditions of use are represented. in the drawings (Figs. 16 and 17 ,these being merely illustrative and the machine in its application not being limited to these specific uses.

In Fig. 1 6 is shown the method of utilizing the machine for rib cutting. Under these conditions, the trackway is laid parallel with and closely adjacent the rib 220 close to the end of the entry 221.

The machine with its cutter bar held projecting forwardly and parallel with the bed is then propelled under its own power along the trackway to the position indicated in the lsaid figure. In this position the bed and the trucks are held fixed by any suitable clamping means such as a jack post similar to the jack post 222 represented in Fig. 1. The longitudinal feed is then thrown in to move the machine frame into the full line position shown in Fig. 16, the lever 204 being turned to avail of the high speed feeding movement, thereby avoiding` loss of time in the initial positioning of the machine. YVith the machine in the full line position shown, the longitudinal feed is thrown out and the lever 163 moved to throw in the turret turning feed to swing the cutter bar against the rib, the turret being first unclamped by turning the turret releasing lever rhis brings the cutter bar against the work and the cutter bar is then caused gradually to cut itself through the arc indicated to a right angle position such as is indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 16. During cutting the lever 204 is positioned to give the slow or cutting feed. Vhile the cutter bar is cutting on the arc with the machine frame fixed, the machine frame itself may be clamped as by a j ack post similar to the post 222 in Fig. 1. iVith the circular or swinging cutting completed the turret is again clamped and the reverse longitudinal feed of the machine frame is thrown in by reversing the position of the lever 163 and the lever 190, this moving the machine frame from the full line position shown in Fig. 16 to the dotted line position therein shown, and causing the cutting` in a continuous, straight kerf. rlhe kerf may be continued down the side of the rib by suitably longitudinally moving the bar relative thereto, herein by shifting the position of the truck from time to time.

At any time, as may be required to suit the particular conditions met with, the vertical location of the kerf in the face or in the rib may be changed by quickly and easily adjusting the cutter bar to different heights by the adjusting lever 93.

In Fig. 17 I have illustrated the application of the machine to entry cutting. Herein the track is laid upon the bottom of the mine near the mid portion of the entry and the machine is brought up on the trackway with the forward end of its bed projecting beyond the trackway to a point adjacent to the face of the coal. `With the cutter bar laterally and forwardly inclined so that the cutters reach to the side wall of the entry and with the turret held fixed in that position, the longitudinal feed is thrown in to cause the machine frame to move forward from the full line position shown to the dotted line position, thereby carrying the cut into the face and in advance of the machine along a line constituting an extension of the side wall, this being shown in plan in Fig. 17. lith the frame fed to the forward limit of its movement upon the bed the machine frame is then clamped in position, the turret unclamped and the turret feed thrown in with the slow cutting movement, this serving to swing the end of the cutter bar through an arc from the forward right hand dotted line position to the left hand position shown in Fig. 1T, the cutter bar being thereby swung to the opposite side of the machine while the machine frame is simultaneously held fixed upon its bed. VJ ith the cutter bar clamped in its reverse inclined position the reverse longitudinal feed is thrown in and the machine frame caused to feed back upon the bed again to the full line position shown, bringing the cutter bar to the rearward left hand dottedline position shown in Fig. 17, thereby completing the entry cut. It will be observed that this entry cut which contemplates cutting both sides of the entry along straight lines, that is to say, straight rib cuts, is performed without readjustment of the machine and by what amounts to one continuous cutting movement of the cutting appliances. It will also be observed that the overhanging front end of the truck overcomes one of the defects now present in entry driving mechanisms, that is, that the movement of the cutting mechanism is limited to the end of the trackway, which usually is spaced some distance from the entry face. The present construction makes it possible to cut a kerf to the full depth of the bar, even though the trackway is not laid up to the face to be cut. It should also be observed that though the guiding` means projects beyond the front wheels, the wheels are spaced far enough apart to distribute the weight of the truck and guiding apparatus over a substantial length of the track to prevent breakage of the trackway because of the great weight of the entry cutting apparatus.

All the cutting movements of the cutter bar are performed through the power transmission devices connected with the motor and traveling` with the machine during its movement. The vertical adjustment of the cutting appliances can be performed without disturbing the position or relation of the other working parts of the machine and this permits the truck propelling devices to be employed in any vertical position of the cutting appliances. No delays are required in loading` or unloading the machine at the place of work or in setting it up for adjustment or readjustment. All the parts are self-contained upon the machine, which greatly adds to the speed of cutting. By causing the machine to feed longitudinally on the long, firmly held bed, an accurately aligned feeding base is provided and an accurate cut can always be made, it being unnecessary to level up the trackway to provide level, rigid guiding means.

Attention is also directed to t-he fact that my improved construction is readily adapted to room cutting, the apparatus during that operation being used substantially as in entry cutting, with the track disposed at right angles to the face. It will also be evident that certain features of my invention, such, for instance, as the longitudinally and angularly movable bar, the improved means for feeding` the mechanism or the bar relative to the track or truck, or the improved cooperating truck driving mechanism, may be advantageously embodied either alone or in combination in various forms in ordinary room and pillar or other trucks, or longwall cutters, entry cutters, or room cutters without departing from the spirit of my invention, it being my intention to include all such adaptations of these or other features of my improved construction within the scope of the appended claims.

Vhile for purposes of illustration I have herein shown and described one specific embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that the same is not limited to the constructional details and parts or their relative' arrangement herein specifically' indicated, but that extensive deviations may be made from the described embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, and that many features herein described in combination may be usefully employed independently or in other connections than in the relations they occupy in the described type of machine.

Claims:

l. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck movable on a trackway, cutter mechanism thereon comprising a motor and a pivotally mounted cutter bar, power operated mechanism for moving said bar angularly across the end of said truck in opposite directions at different speeds comprising separate trains of transmission mechanism, and yieldable friction mechanism controlling said trains.

2. In a mining machine, the combination with a swinging cutter bar mounted to swing across and in advance et the end of the inachine, of a motor and means operated thereby for effecting swinging movements of said cutter bar, and separate means engageable with a portion of said iirst mentioned means for holding said cutter bar against movement.

3. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck movable on a trackway, cutter mechanism thereon con'iprising a motor and a pivotally mounted cutter bar, power operated gearing for moving said cutter bar across the end of said truck in opposite directions at different speeds, and means for releasing said cutter bar for tree swing, said mechanism including clutch means operative per se and simply on actuation to ettect variation in direction of bar movement.

4. In a mining apparatus, a wheeled truck movable on a trackway, cutter mechanism thereon comprising a motor and a pivotally mounted cutter bar, power operated gearing for moving said cutter bar angularly across the end of said truck in either direction at either of a plurality of speeds, and means for releasing said cutter bar for tree swing, Said mechanism including clutch means operative per se and simply on actuation to etlect variation in direction oit bar movement.

5. In a mining apparatus, a support, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon tor swinging movement relative thereto, and means .tor swinging said bar and for holding it in ditterent angular positions including gearing a portion of which is self-locking, and means between said bar and the self-locking portion ot said gearing tor freeing the bar trom the control of said gearing to permit free swingingr of the bar.

G. In a mining apparatus, a support, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon for swinging movement relative thereto, and means tor swinging said bar in opposite directions at difi'erent speeds and tor holding it in diiiferent angular' positions including gearing a portion ot which is self-locking, and means between said bar and the self-locking portion of said gearing for freeing the bar trom the control of said gearing to permit tree swing ot the bar.

7. In a mining apparatus, a support, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon lor swinging movement relative thereto, and means for swinging said bar and tor holding it in ditl'erent angular positions including a worm and a worm wheel, said worm rotatable to effect bar swing, and means for operatively connecting and disconnecting said worm wheel and said bar releasing said bar for free swing when disconnection is elfected.

8. In a. mining' apparatus, a support, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon for swinging movement relative thereto, and means for swinging said bar in either direction at a cutting or at a higher speed and for holding it in dilllerent angular positions including a worm and a worm wheel, said worin rotatable to etl'ect bar swing, and means lor operatively connecting and disconnecting said worm wheel. and said bar releasing said bar for free swing when disconnection is effected.

9. In a mining appa atus, a support, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon for swinging movement relative thereto, and means for swinging said bar and tor holding it in dillerent angular positions including a rotatable element, means cooperating therewith to drive the same when rotating and to lock the same when stationary, and controlling means tor ellecting operative connection between said element and said bar whereby the latter may be positively swung, and disconnection ot said element trom said bar whereby the latter may be tree tor swinging.

l0. In a mining apparatus, a support, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon 'for swinging movement relative thereto, and means tor swinging said bar in opposite directions at ditlerent speeds and :for holding it in diii'erent angular positions including a rotatable element, means cooperating therewith to drive the same when rotating and to lock the same when stationary, and controlling means for eilecting operative connection between said element and said bar whereby the latter may be positively swung, and disconnection ot said element from said bar whereby the latter may be tree it'or swinging.

ll. In a mining apparatus, a pivotally mounted cutter bar, a support upon which said cutter bar is mounted tor swinging movement about its pivot, and means for swinging said bar and for holding it in ditterent angular positions, including gearing a portion ot which is self-locking and which includes reversing mechanism, and means between said bar and the self-locking porti-on ot said gearing for freeing the bar from the control ot said gearinT to permit free swinging ot the bar.

l2. In a mining apparatus, a support, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon for swinging movement relative thereto, means for swinging said bar including a worm wheel rotating on an axis perpendicular to the plane of bar swing, a worm meshing therewith, reversing gearingv including a pair 01"' oppositely rotating coaxial gears arranged on an axis parallel to a line parallel to the axis of said worm, and means for selectively driving` said worm from one or the other ot said coaxial gears.

13. In a mining apparatus, a support, a

cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon for swinging movement relative thereto, and means for swinging said bar and for holding it in dierent angular positions including gearing a portion of which is self-locking, said gearing including a worm rotating on an axis in a plane substantially parallel to the plane of bar swing, and means for driving said worm in opposite directions including reversely rotating gear elements coaxially arranged on an axis parallel to a line parallel to the axis of rotation of said worm and selectively operative as driving elements, and means between said bar and the self-locking portion of said gearing for freeing the bar from the control of said gearing to permit free swinging of the bar.

14. In a mining apparatus, a support, a cutter bar pivotally mounted thereon for swinging movement relative thereto, and means for swinging said bar and for holding it in different angular positions including gearing a portion of which is self-locking, said gearing including a worm rotating on an axis in a plane parallel to the plane of bar swing, and means for driving said worm in opposite directions including reversely rotating gear elements coaxially arranged on an axis parallel to a line parallel to the axis of rotation of said worm, and a driving pinion for said gear elements rotating on an axis perpendicular to their axis and meshing with both of said gear elements.

15. Mining apparatus including a frame, cutting mechanism carried thereby including a pivoted cutter bar projecting from said frame and adapted to be swung across the front end of said frame, a motor on said frame, and separate gear trains separately actuated by said motor for respectively actuating said cutting mechanism and directly effecting swinging of said bar relative to said frame.

16. In a mining apparatus, a machine frame, a projecting cutter chain carrying cutter bar, and chain shrouding means affording a chain passage in which said chain is wholly enclosed during its traverse thereof.

17. In a mining machine, the combination with machine feeding mechanism including a. plurality of clutches, one of which is a main feed controlling clutch, of cont-rolling means for said clutches including a common controlling element.

18. In a mining machine, a feed operating shaft, a plurality of driving members concentric therewith and spaced apart thereon, a sleeve on said shaft, means for connecting said sleeve to said shaft or disconnecting it therefrom, means for selectively connecting said driving members to said sleeve, and a feed operating member driven by said shaft.

19. In a mining machine, a feed operating shaft, a plurality of driving members therefor concentric therewith, a sleeve on said shaft, means for connecting said sleeve to said shaft and disconnecting it therefrom, and means for selectively connecting said driving members to said sleeve.

20. In a mining machine, cutting mechanism, driving means therefor, means for moving said cutting mechanism, and controlling means for said moving means determining the speed of the latter and precluding driving of the cutting mechanism by its driving means at certain speeds of said moving means.

21. In a mining machine, a motor, cutting mechanism driven thereby, means for eecting translatory movement of the machine driven by said motor including a fast feed drive, and means for automatically interrupting operation of said cutting mechanism when said fast feed drive is effective.

22. In a mining apparatus, a machine comprising cutting mechanism, a motor spaced from said cutting mechanism but actuating the same, and mechanism for effecting feeding movement of said machine during cutting and movement at a higher speed disposed in a transverse zone between said cutting mechanism and said motor.

23. In a mining apparatus, a. machine comprising an elongated cutter carrying bar at the front end thereof operative to cut a kerf for itself` when presented edgewise or endwise to the work, a motor at the other end thereof, and mechanism disposed in a transverse zone between said cutting mechanism and said motor for moving said machine forwardly to effect a sumping cut at a predetermined cutting speed and for moving said machine at a higher speed.

24. In a mining apparatus, a machine comprising cutting mechanism including a cutter chain driving sprocket and a motor spaced from said cutting mechanism and actuating the same, and feeding mechanism for effecting movement of said machine during cutting disposed in a transverse zone between the axis of said cutter chain driving sprocket and the motor, and means for actuating said feeding and cutting mechanisms including coaxial driving elements supported on a common shaft.

25. In a mining apparatus, a machine comprising cutting mechanism, a motor spaced from said cutting mechanism but actuating the same, and feeding mechanism for effecting movement of said machine during cutting disposed in a transverse Zone between said cutting mechanism and said motor, and means for actuating said feeding and cutting mechanisms including coaxial driving elements supported on a common shaft, said feeding mechanism including a transversely extending shaft having planetary gearing coaxial therewith and clutch means reciprocable longitudinally of said shaft to eect a change in speed.

llt

26. In a mining apparatus, a machine comprising cutting mechanism, a motor spaced from said cutting mechanism but actuating the same, and feeding mechanism for eli'ecting movement of said machine during cutting disposed in a transverse zone between said cutting mechanism and said motor, and means for actuating said feeding and cutting mechanisms including coaxial driving elements supported on a common shaft, said feeding mechanism including a transversely extending shaft having planetary gearing coaxial therewith.

27. In a mining apparatus, a machine comprising cutting mechanism, a motor spaced from said cutting mechanism but actuating the same, and feeding mechanism for effecting movement of said machine during cutting and at a higher speed disposed in a transverse zone between said cutting mechanism and said motor, and means for actuating said feeding and cutting mechanisms including coaxial driving elements respectively for said feeding and cutting mechanisms supported on a common shaft extending longitudinally of said machine.

28. In a mining apparatus, a truck having running gear, a mining machine on said truck, said machine comprising cutting mechanism including a cutter bar, a motor, and feeding mechanism for moving said cutter bar in a direction at right angles to its major dimension, said motor having a power shaft provided with a driving element actuating said feeding mechanism, and means whereby said machine also may propel said truck comprising a driving element on said machine coaxial with said power shaft.

29. In a. mining apparatus, a frame movable longitudinally during cutting, a motor thereon having a longitudinally extending armature shaft, a pinion thereon, cutting mechanism at the opposite end of said frame driven by said pinion, a second power transmitting driving element on said shaft more remote from said motor than said pinion, and plural speed gear reduction mechanism actuated thereby for effecting feeding of said frame.

30. In a mining apparatus, a frame movable longitudinally during cutting, a motor thereon having a longitudinally extending armature shaft, a pinion thereon, cutting mechanism at the opposite end of said frame driven by said pinion and comprising a cutter bar swingable freely or held in fixed positions at the will of an operator, a second power transmitting driving element on said shaft more remote from said motor than said pinion, and plural speed gear reduction mechanism actua-ted thereby for effecting feeding of said frame.

31. In a mining apparatus, a frame movable longitudinally during cutting, a motor on said frame having a longitudinally extending armature shaft, a track, Wheeled means for supporting said frame for movement over said track, a swinging cutter bar on said frame, means for driving certain of said wheels and actuating said bar driven by said armature shaft, and means for effecting feeding while said wheel drive is interrupted including plural predetermined speed gearing driven by said armature shaft beyond its connection with said wheel drive.

32. In a mining apparatus, a frame movable longitudinally during cutting, a motor on said frame having a longitudinally extending armature shaft, a track, wheeled means for supporting said frame for movement over said track, a swinging cutter bar on said frame, means for driving certain of said wheels and actuating said bar driven by said armature shaft, and means for effecting feeding while said wheel drive is interrupted including reversible plural predetermined speed gearing driven by said armature shaft beyond its connection with said wheel drive.

33. In a mining apparatus, cutting mechanism including a pivoted cutter bar mounted to swing across and in advance of the apparatus, feeding mechanism, and a motor for actuating both said cutting and said feeding mechanisms, said motor having a longitudinally extending pow-er shaft having af'lixed thereto spaced driving elements respectively constituting actuating elements for said cutting and feeding mechanisms, and said feeding mechanism including a feed operating member and means for effecting rotation thereof in opposite directions at different predetermined speeds.

34. .In a mining machine, a machine frame, cutting mechanism supported thereby including a pivoted cutter bar provided with a circulating cutter chain, a motor on said frame whose axis of rotation extends longitudinally of said frame, said motor having a plurality of driving pinions, operative connections between one of said driving pinions and said cutter chain, and feeding means operable by a different driving pinion including a member rotatable upon a vertical axis to effect feeding movement of said frame, and means driven by said motor for effecting rotation of said member including worm gearing comprising a worm rotating on a horizontal axis, and change speed gearing for effecting rotation of said worm at different speeds in the same direction including a plurality of gears coaxial with said worm and selectively adapted to constitute driving elements therefor.

35. In a miningmachine, a machine frame, cutting mechanism supported thereby including a pivoted cutter bar provided With a circulating cutter chain, a motor on said frame whose axis of rotation extends longitudinally of said frame, said motor having a plurality lief 

